A WORD OR TWO FOR BELIEVERS
1 Timothy 4:12-16
INTRODUCTION:
A. God’s timing is always so good.
1. Take for instance our current passage from the book of 1 Timothy.
2. 1 Tim. 4:12-16 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
3. As I read this it hit me: this is a great passage for the beginning of the new year.
4. It has so much for us that we need to hear and follow through on, and if we do we will have a great new year both in our personal lives and in the life of the church.
B. Now I know some of you more hermeneutically (the science of interpretation or the principles of biblical study and presentation) minded folks are thinking this passage is directed toward Timothy and to him as a young pastor.
1. And you would be right.
2. So this applies directly to me, pastor Mat and pastor Vincent
3. But I do not believe you will find anything within the text that is not delegated to the body at large in many other places in Scripture – so you are not off the hook.
C. Lets read the passage again:
1. 1 Tim. 4:12-16 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
2. I love the first six words: Let no man despise thy youth;
3. Its for all ages!
4. And in its contents I believe we can find two over arching categories we need to look at
a. Example
b. Exhortation
5. This is a word for all believers, regardless of age and in our best interest for the new year.
PRAY
We will begin this morning by looking at Paul’s word to Timothy to be an
I. EXAMPLE, 1 Tim. 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
A. Of all that Paul writes to believers I believe this is one of the most important
1. Directed to Timothy, it shows that pastors, elders, even deacons need to provide a positive example for believers as a whole
2. But understand an example is something to be followed by all – not just a show piece for the church.
3. Each of us is to be “an example of the believers” so that we might be salt and light in this decaying and dark world.
B. Here we are given 6 areas (five in many translations those leaving out “in spirit”) to be examples in
1. First given is be thou an example in WORD
a. This is a very important area for both church leaders and members
b. More damage can be done in five minutes with the tongue than can be repaired in 5 years.
c. James tells us that our tongue is or can be an unruly evil. Jam 3:1-12
d. Eph 4:29 states Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
e. And we should know that we will give account for every idle word according to Matt 12:36-37
2. Second mentioned is that we are to be an example of the believer in CONVERSATION
a. The Greek word translated “conversation” is a compound word that means to turn upside down or turn around – thus it speaks about a life that is turned around and now in pursuit of God!
b. It should be something that people could talk about if they so wish.
c. One in which the beatitudes and fruit of the Spirit over flow and spill out into life as we live it!
3. The third mentioned is we are to be an example of the believer in CHARITY (love)
a. The very core of Christianity is love
b. Rom 5:5 states, …the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
c. We need to do a better job of expressing what we love as apposed to what we hate!
d. Love is the nature of God – for God is love, states 1 John 4:7-8, and so it should be our nature also.
4. We now come to the fourth area we are to be an example in, that of SPIRIT.
a. This is not mentioned in many of the newer translations, for what I believe to be bogus reasons, but since it is in my Bible we will mention it.
b. The basic idea here is that of enthusiasm
c. And why not – we can be enthusiastic about babies being born, foot ball games, new TV sets, pay raises
d. But not eternal salvation and the privilege to serve the Sovereign God of the universe?
e. We ought to come into the worship service every time with expectant enthusiastic attitudes!
f. We ought to be enthusiastic in our proclamation of Jesus and salvation through His blood
g. People ought to see us living life enthusiastically
5. Four down, number five coming up, we are to be an example in FAITH
a. The idea here is not that of the Faith, as a body of truth but rather a personal trust in God who is the basis of that truth.
b. It comes down to being an example of one who as a personal relationship with God!
c. Which is shown in every aspect of life, every circumstance, trial and test.
d. It is hard to draw one to a faith one does not have.
6. Finally, we come to the sixth area we are to show ourselves an example PURITY!
a. The word takes us beyond the area of chastity in sexual matters to that of action and thought.
b. It describes a life of holiness
C. So there is the first word – Example
1. How are we doing?
2. Are there any areas we are lacking?
3. What can we do to improve?
4. The word is EXAMPLE
This brings us to the second word I wanted us to consider
II. EXHORTATION, 1 Tim. 4:13-16 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
A. In this portion of his letter, Paul gives a number of exhortations to the young man.
1. Paul was endeavoring to return to Ephesus and want to encourage Timothy to keep up the good work
2. He did not want Timothy to falter in his work and ministry.
3. And so I take these serious as a pastor and all of us ought to take them serious as to not falter in our Christian ministry.
B. I have broken them down into four broad exhortations, beginning with
1. An exhortation to give attendance - in other words, devote or apply yourselves to
a. And this was attached to three different entities: first reading, primarily the public reading of scripture within the context of worship
- To this I would add the verbal reading of scripture within the context of home worship or devotions.
b. Secondly, to exhortation – encouraging or lifting up of another with words ranging from comfort to admonition
c. Thirdly, to doctrine, or teaching: the conveyance of truth both intellectually and practically
d. We are to devote ourselves to these.
2. The second exhortation comes in the negative form that of Not neglecting his gift
a. Each Christian was given spiritual gifts at the point of their conversion and they are to use them
b. Pastors and congregants should seek to know and use their spiritual gifts.
c. How are you serving the church and other believers?
3. The third exhortation brings us to the need for diligence
a. 1 Tim. 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
b. Timothy was to think about what Paul had told him and make every effort to do them
c. Christianity does not just happen, we must be disciplined, vigilant, active and purposeful.
d. Why? That our lives might mirror Christ and all who see may profit.
1) We need to grow and people need to see our growth: a church needs to se their pastor grow, children need to see their parents grow, society needs to see the church grow (not is size but virtues).
2) Growth is to be evident.
4. The final exhortation is found in verse 16, Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
a. A reiteration of the diligence is stated take heed…continue in them
b. And all of this for a very important reason, …for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
c. Paul was not telling Timothy that if he did these things, afore mentioned, he could save himself or anyone else.
d. The essence of the verse is that by being diligent Timothy could keep his life pure, doctrine right and testimony in tacked.
e. Thus his life would show his salvation to be true and would lead others who heard his words and saw his life to be saved, a well.
CONCLUSION: Well,
A. Talk about A Word Or Two For Christians – that is a mouth full!
1. Example & Exhortation
2. It is a lot to think about but if Paul thought Timothy needed to hear it, I believe it is important enough for us to hear and take heed, as well.
B. I would suggest that you listen to the Lord’s leading in these areas
1. If He has spoken to you about one area in specific – deal with him right now concerning it, then ask him to work in other areas as needed.
2. As far as you are concerned, what Is God’s Word To You this morning?
